Two Boys Under 10 Take Parents’ Car, Critically Injure Woman
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Quick Answer
Two boys, ages 4 and 7, allegedly took their parents’ Toyota Camry and crashed into a woman walking her dog in Oakland, California, leaving her critically injured.
Two Boys Allegedly Take Parents’ Car in Oakland
In an unusual incident in Oakland, California, a woman in her 30s suffered serious injuries after being struck by a car allegedly taken from their parents’ home without permission by two boys, ages 4 and 7.
The crash happened Thursday morning, August 6, at around 9:30 a.m. in East Oakland’s Laurel District, near the intersection of 35th Avenue and Mangels Avenue.
According to police and local media reports, the boys were driving a white Toyota Camry north at a high speed. The car struck another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction before the boys lost control and hit the woman as she crossed the street while walking her dog.
The woman was taken to a hospital in critical condition. Later reports said her family described her as “fighting for her life.”
The two boys were also taken to the hospital and were in stable condition. Reports said the 7-year-old suffered a broken leg, while the 4-year-old suffered a concussion.
One witness said the boys appeared to be sharing control of the car, with one apparently steering while the other operated the gas and brake pedals.
The crash triggered the car’s airbag, which knocked one of the boys into the back seat.
The woman’s dog also ran away from the scene after the crash but was later found safe.
Police said the boys’ parents were cooperating with the investigation. Reports indicate that the children obtained the car keys and took the vehicle while their parents were sleeping, although investigators are still working to determine exactly how the boys accessed and operated the car.
Questions About Responsibility
The crash has also raised legal questions about responsibility when a child this age does something that results in another person being injured. Legal analyst and former prosecutor Steven Clark said handling the case could be legally complicated because of the boys’ young ages.
Meanwhile, child and adolescent psychiatrist Shivani Chmura said children this age may not be capable of fully understanding the consequences of their actions and recommended that they receive counseling.
The Oakland Police Department is continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash, including how the boys gained access to the vehicle and whether any other factors contributed to the collision.
Police have not announced any criminal charges against the boys or their parents. It also remains unclear whether alcohol or drugs played any role in the crash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where did the crash happen? A: The crash happened in East Oakland’s Laurel District near 35th Avenue and Mangels Avenue.
Q: What happened to the woman who was hit? A: The woman, who is in her 30s, was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
Q: What happened to the boys?
A: Both boys were taken to the hospital and were reported in stable condition. The 7-year-old reportedly suffered a broken leg, while the 4-year-old suffered a concussion.
Q: Was the woman’s dog found?
A: Yes. The dog ran away after the crash but was later found safe.
Q: Have police announced any charges?
A: No. Police have not announced criminal charges against the boys or their parents.
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